New Orleans Businesses Organize in Support of Net Neutrality

Julia Ballard

March 21, 2018

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to overturn net neutrality back in December 2017, causing a wave of backlash from individuals and businesses across the country Then, in February, the Senate introduced a resolution under the Congressional Review Act that would reverse the FCC’s ruling.

New Orleans startups and businesses are getting behind this resolution, organizing events and spreading the word about the support they need.

“I think of net neutrality as the First Amendment of the internet,” said Susan Sakash, a local leader in support of net neutrality. “Protecting the rights of U.S. citizens to have access to a free and open space to organize for a better society, run a better business, and hold our government accountable is a crucial fight.”

Sakash will be joined by other activists tonight at 5:00 pm in front of Senator Kennedy’s New Orleans office with signs and chants in hopes of swaying him to become the 51st vote needed to pass the net neutrality resolution. “Net neutrality has been the standard and now Congress needs to serve its constituents, not the telecommunications lobby, to ensure that the FCC repeal gets overturned by supporting the CRA,” continued Sakash.

Local tech leader Chris Reade, who is the founder of software development studio LookFar, is hosting a discussion on net neutrality on Thursday, March 22, during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW). He will be joined by Ryan Singel, CEO of Contextly, to talk about what changes in net neutrality mean for startups, both locally and nationally.

“The success and innovation of America’s startup ecosystem depends on an open internet with enforceable net neutrality rules, ensuring that small companies can compete on a level playing field without the threat that their services will be discriminated against by big cable and wireless companies.”